Edinburgh Business Stories

You More

Hosted by ActionCOACH business coach Alan Smith and YouMore founder Alex Richards, this video podcast focuses on the stories of business owners in and around the great city of Edinburgh. Check it out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. And why not follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn too for updates and behind the scenes sneak peaks? Know someone with an awesome story who should be on this podcast? Let us know by emailing info@youmore.co.uk.

  1. Aug 12

    Ep93. JDS Gardening - Josh Dow

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Josh Dow, Founder of JDS Gardening, a landscaping business that has grown from a teenage hobby into a successful company with a growing team. Josh shares how he made the decision to choose entrepreneurship over the traditional university route, the lessons he learned from growing a business from the ground up, and why building the right culture has been one of the biggest priorities at JDS. He also talks about hiring based on attitude, working alongside his brother, and the importance of creating a team that enjoys being part of the journey. This episode is for founders, business owners, and anyone thinking about taking a different path. Josh’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always come from following the expected route, but from finding something you care about and building it properly. You can listen to the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit https://rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories

  2. Jul 29

    Ep92. Pure IT Refurbished - Bobby Mitchell

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Bobby Mitchell, Managing Director of Pure IT, a Scottish business helping organisations save money and reduce waste through high-quality refurbished technology. Bobby shares how Pure IT has built its reputation by refusing to cut corners, why changing perceptions around refurbished devices has been one of the company's biggest challenges, and how focusing on quality over price has helped the business grow. He also talks about the importance of empowering your team, knowing when to specialise, and why great leadership often means stepping back rather than stepping in. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or interested in sustainable technology, this episode is packed with practical lessons on growth, quality, and long-term thinking. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit https://rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories

  3. Jul 15

    Ep91. Spartans Community Foundation - Debbi McCulloch and Craig Graham

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Debbi McCulloch, CEO, and Craig Graham, Chairman of Spartans Community Foundation, a social enterprise and charity using the power of sport to create opportunities and improve lives across North Edinburgh. Debbi and Craig share how Spartans has grown from a football-focused organisation into a community hub supporting education, youth work, health and wellbeing, and family support programmes. They discuss the importance of building sustainable income streams, why charities should embrace commercial thinking, and how creating financial stability allows them to have an even greater impact. This episode is for business leaders, social entrepreneurs, charity professionals, and anyone interested in the role purpose-driven organisations can play in strengthening communities. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit https://rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories

  4. Jul 1

    Ep90. Scotland Shop - Anna White

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Anna White, Managing Director of ScotlandShop, a global e-commerce business bringing Scottish heritage, tartan, and textiles to customers around the world. Anna shares her journey from leaving a secure role at Scottish Enterprise to building a business from a spare room in a farmhouse, long before online retail became the norm. She reflects on the challenges of growing an e-commerce business, expanding into physical retail, and creating a company culture that has helped ScotlandShop thrive for more than two decades. This episode is for founders, business owners, and anyone interested in building a brand with purpose, growing a strong team, and turning a simple idea into a long-term success story. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories-yt

  5. Jun 17

    Ep89. CTD Scotland - Chris Dodds

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Chris Dodds, Owner and Director of CTD Scotland, a construction and fit-out business that has grown from a one-man joinery operation into a trusted contractor delivering projects across Scotland. Chris shares the realities of building a business from the ground up, from naming the company after himself and learning hard lessons during the early years, to navigating the challenges of cash flow, growth, and managing larger projects. He also reflects on the steep learning curve of moving from tradesman to business owner, and why understanding the numbers became just as important as mastering the tools. Along the way, Chris discusses the unexpected challenges of running a business during Covid, the project that transformed CTD's growth trajectory, and the persistence required to keep moving forward when opportunities don't always come easily. This episode is for business owners, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs who are building something from scratch and learning as they go. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories-yt

  6. Jun 3

    Ep88. Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes - Mark Rafferty

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Mark Rafferty, Managing Director of Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes and Metal Recycling, a long-standing Edinburgh business operating across cranes, recycling, logistics and storage. Mark shares the realities of running a multi-generational family business, from unusual crane jobs and managing large-scale recycling operations to tackling scrap theft and preserving resources for the future. He also discusses the environmental pressures facing the construction industry, why recycled aggregates are becoming increasingly important, and how Bernard Hunter has evolved far beyond what most people expect from a scrapyard. This conversation covers everything from lifting whales off beaches to the surprising story behind the donkeys living beside the scrapyard, alongside a serious look at sustainability, infrastructure, and the future of the industry. This episode is for anyone interested in family business, construction, sustainability, logistics, or the unseen industries helping keep cities moving. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit https://rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories

  7. May 20

    Ep87. Brewster Brothers - Scott Brewster

    In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Scott Brewster, Managing Director of Brewster Brothers, a Scottish business turning construction waste into valuable recycled materials. Scott shares his journey from a difficult start in chartered accountancy, where failing exams led to his first major setback, to building a business focused on sustainability, scale, and solving a growing industry problem. He also opens up about the hidden realities of construction materials, from global scarcity and environmental pressures to the rise of illegal “sand mafias” in parts of the world. This episode is for anyone interested in sustainability, construction, or how industry challenges can become powerful business opportunities when approached differently. This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Rathbones, a leading UK wealth manager with a long‑standing presence in Edinburgh and offices across Scotland. Rathbones helps people plan and invest for the future they want, whether you’re building wealth, growing your career, or enjoying the rewards of success. Life can be busy and complex, and having the right support matters. By taking the time to understand what’s important to you, Rathbones helps you invest well, plan well and live well. Wherever you are on your journey, Rathbones is there to help you go further. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For more information visit https://rathbones.link/edinburgh-business-stories

About

Hosted by ActionCOACH business coach Alan Smith and YouMore founder Alex Richards, this video podcast focuses on the stories of business owners in and around the great city of Edinburgh. Check it out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. And why not follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn too for updates and behind the scenes sneak peaks? Know someone with an awesome story who should be on this podcast? Let us know by emailing info@youmore.co.uk.

You Might Also Like